the savings-bank--or Bessie?

He was cording up his various possessions--a medley lot--indifferent
parcels and bundles, when Bessie Costrell knocked at the door. She had
already offered to stow away anything he might like to leave with her.

'Well, I thought you'd be busy,' she said as she walked in, 'an I came
up to lend a hand. Is them the things you're goin to leave me to take
care on?'

John nodded.

'Field's cart, as takes Louisa's things to-morrer, is a-goin to deliver
these at your place first. They're more nor I thought they would be. But
you can put 'em anywheres.'

'Oh, I'll see to 'em.'

She sat down and watched him tie the knots of the last parcel.

'There's some people as is real ill-natured,' she said presently, in an
angry voice.

'Aye?' said John, looking up sharply. 'What are they sayin now?'

'It's Muster Saunders. 'Ee's allus sayin nassty things about other
folks. And there'd be plenty of fault to be found with 'im, if onybody
was to try. An Sally Saunders eggs him on dreadful.'

Saunders was the village smith, a tall, brawny man, of great size and
corresponding wisdom, who had been the village arbiter and general
councillor for a generation. There was not a will made in Clinton Magna
that he did not advise upon; not a bit of contentious business that he
had not a share in; not a family history that he did not know. His
probity was undisputed; his ability was regarded with awe; but as he had
a sharp tongue and was no respecter of persons, there was of course an
opposition.

John took a seat on the wooden box he had just been cording, and mopped
his brow. His full cheeks were crimson, partly with exertion, partly
with sudden annoyance.

'What's 'ee been sayin now? Though it doan't matter a brass farthin to
me what 'ee says.'

'He says you 'aven't got no proper feelins about poor Eliza, and you'd
ought to have done a great deal more for Louisa. But 'ee says you allus
were a mean one with your money--an you knew that '_ee_ knew it--for 'ee
'd stopped you takin an unfair advantage more nor once. An 'ee didn't
believe as your money would come to any good; for now Eliza was gone you
wouldn't know how to take care on it.'

John's eyes flamed. 'Oh! 'ee says that, do 'ee? Well Saunders wor allus
a beast--an a beast 'ee'll be.'

He sat with his chin on his large dirty hands, ruminating furiously.

It was quite true that Saunders had thwarted him more than once. There
was old Mrs. Moulsey a